GARRETT

Named for John W. Garrett, industrialist and financier. It was
created by Chapter 212 of the Acts of 1872. The County seat is
Oakland.

HARFORD

Named for Henry Harford, last Proprietary. He was a son of
Frederick, sixth Lord Baltimore, but because of his illegitimate birth
did not inherit the title. It was erected by Chapter 10 of the Acts
of 1773. The County seat is Bel Air.

HOWARD

Named for John Eager Howard, soldier and statesman. The county
was created in 1861 by Article VIII, Section I of the Constitution of
that year. However, the area which later became Howard County
was set up as Howard District of Anne Arundel County by Chapter
22 of the Acts of 1838; confirmed by Chapter 50, Acts of 1839 and
thereafter, until 1861, enjoyed the status of a county except that it
was not represented in the General Assembly. The County seat is
Ellicott City.
KENT

This county derives its name from the English county of the same
name. It was erected by order of the Governor in 1642. The County
seat is Chestertown.

MONTGOMERY

Named for the Revolutionary General, Richard Montgomery. The
county was created by the Constitutional Convention of 1776. The
County seat is Rockville.

PRINCE GEORGE'S

Named for Prince George of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne.
This County was erected by Chapter 13, Acts of 1695. The County
seat is Upper Marlboro.

QUEEN ANNE'S

This county is named for Queen Anne. It was erected by Chapter 3
of the Acts of 1706. The County seat is Centreville.

ST. MARY'S

Named in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Ark and the Dove landed
on Annunciation Day (March 25). This was the first county erected
in Maryland, having been created in 1637 by an order of the Gov-
ernor. The County seat is Leonardtown.

SOMERSET

Named after Mary Somerset, sister of Cecilius, Second Lord Balti-
more. It was created by an Order in Council of 1666. The County
seat is Princess Anne.

TALBOT

Named after Grace Talbot, sister of Cecilius, Second Lord Balti-
more. The form of the creation of this county is not known, but it
was probably by virtue of an order of the Governor in Council. It
was certainly in existence by February 18, 1661/62 when a writ was
issued to the sheriff. The County seat is Easton.

WASHINGTON

Named for George Washington. The county owes its creation to
the Constitutional Convention of 1776. The County seat is Hagers-
town.